Russia to support Kazakhstan, Belarus in WTO bids

Russia will support Kazakhstan and Belarus in their efforts to join the WTO after Moscow joins the trade bloc, Russia's top WTO negotiator Maxim Medvedkov said on Wednesday, KAZINFORM reported.

"It will be easier for our partners in the Customs Union (to join the WTO) because Russia has spent two years in WTO negotiations on complicated problems regarding the Customs Union," Medvedkov said at the press conference.

The Customs Union is a union of neighboring states. A single economic space was created to develop free trade among Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan.

Before the establishment of the Customs Union, the three nations have agreed to seek a joint accession to the WTO.

Russia and Georgia signed an agreement in Geneva on Nov. 10 under Swiss mediation removing a vital hurdle for Russia to join the 153-member trade bloc.